Off the Wall Wednesday, 18th February, 2015
Today marks the beginning of a very special time for our
Christian community in Fiji and around the world.
Ash Wednesday is the first day of the Christian season of
Lent. For the next forty days, not including Sundays, Christians take part in a
spiritual pilgrimage that mirrors the 40 year exodus of the Israelites through
the wilderness to the promised land, the 40 days of fasting that Jesus
underwent in the desert before beginning his ministry and reflect on their
lives, their faith and journey of their Lord to Jerusalem, to a rousing welcome
which turned to betrayal and rejection and ultimately a humiliating death on a
cross, effecting God’s redemption of humanity.
The season of Lent culminates in Easter, marking not only
the atoning death of Jesus but the resurrection of Christ as a symbol of
everlasting life, of love conquering fear and evil and that the Kingdom of God
is beyond the limited power of human politics, greed and pride.
The Lenten journey is an opportunity for a large portion
of the Fijian population to undertake a spiritual transformation that will
enable us to see the common things of earth, sky and sea with a new wonder and
fresh joy. It will also enable us to see the presence of Jesus within ourselves
and in the people who cross our path, however different they look, talk and
think. We may think that such an attitude is too difficult to acquire but it is
something that we can continuously ask for and desire.
Lent is a time for transforming ourselves, cleansing our
bodies, our mind and our souls. It is a time to commit to transforming our
country into a place of tolerance, respect, and understanding. Let us commit to
transforming this world in to a new creation of justice, equality and respect
for all God’s creatures.
For many Christians, the solemn season of Lent is about
self-denial. Setting aside, in these six weeks leading up to Easter, something
we value or enjoy becomes a means of honouring Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross.
For people struggling in the midst of poverty,
self-denial is not a merely matter of choice. It is a lifestyle forced upon,
not only during Lent but all year round.
Lent becomes a fitting time to reflect on age-old
divisions between rich and poor – and on our duty to help uphold those whom
circumstance has treated harshly.
As I passed the Sacred Heart Cathedral recently, I saw a
banner about a Lenten project to raise funds to build accommodation for the
poor. It is a reminder for those who have the luxury of being able to give
something like meat, chocolate, kava, cigarettes or the like to put the money
our self-denial will save to a good use for someone in need. Our attempts to improve our spiritual
wellbeing can result in the physical wellbeing of another.
Going through some of the many thought provoking bible
studies prepared for Christians during Lent I came across the following
reflection of Jesus’ statement that “The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”(John 10:10):
“What does it mean to have life fully and abundantly, or
as this Greek word implies, life, “exceedingly abundantly, or beyond measure?”
It might mean spending time with family, working in a rewarding job, helping
others, or following a passion. Good health is essential to enjoying any of
these things. Is a full and abundant life a luxury only the wealthy can afford?
Research shows us that certain lifestyle choices can make a drastic difference
in health – things like consuming fresh fruits and vegetables and getting
enough physical activity. But even when those living in poverty want to make a
healthy choice.”
“The cheapest calories are the most empty, offering
refined carbs and high sugar content rather than antioxidants and
disease-fighting nutrients. What this means is that our neighbours who struggle
with poverty and hunger are also the ones who are disproportionately hit by
obesity, diabetes, and other chronic diseases. They may be getting the calories
they need to survive, but chances are they are not getting the ones they need
to thrive. In order to get more calories per dollar, nourishment is
sacrificed.”
In a country with an increasing appetite for fast food,
from takeaways to canned fish and meat and instant noodles, we would do well to
ask ourselves, “What can people of faith do to combat these trends of chronic
disease and obesity that disproportionately plague those living in poverty?”
God calls us to full and abundant life, and Jesus said he
came that this might be possible. Let’s all do our part to break the cycle of
obesity, poor health and poverty so that this full and abundant life may be
possible for all.
Perhaps, Fijian Christians can, in our individual period
of self-denial we can also make Lent a family and community event and find ways
that families and communities can work together to have a healthy life.
Parents, remember that you are your child’s best model.
Ask them if they can think of ways to improve your family’s health. Select some
suggestions and work together to implement them (walks after dinner or other physical
activity that the whole family can do together), eating more fruit and vegetables,
cooking together, or raiding the cupboard and replacing unhealthy foods with
healthier options, less ‘screen’ time (and more activity time). Make a
commitment together to become healthier.
I pray that this Lent we will not only become more
spiritually healthy but also physically and socially healthy as well.
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